Blog Archives
How to turn the page on the Iraq War
Luke Wilcox, Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project
In his recent Oval Office address, President Obama marked the “end” of combat operations in Iraq: “We have met our responsibility. Now, it is time to turn the page.”
Not so fast. No doubt many Americans would love to forget the whole thing, but, annoyingly, the Iraq War has etched itself onto our history. Indeed, it has struck the heart of both American and Iraqi life: more than 4,400 Americans dead; at least 100,000 Iraqis dead; more than 32,000 Americans wounded; at least two million Iraqis forced to flee their country. It is difficult for me to comprehend such calamity, much less process, file, and forget. Read the rest of this entry
Iraqi Woman Lost Left Leg and Right Foot to Missile, Now Coming to Minneapolis for Donated Treatment
By Luke Wilcox
Minnesotans and Iraqis Work Together for Reconciliation
By Luke Wilcox
Iraq can seem far from Minnesota, both geographically and culturally. While nearly six years of military operations in Iraq have brought images of war and its consequences into American homes, the culture and people of Iraq have rarely followed. Many Americans support peace with Iraq, but know little about Iraqis and wonder how much impact one person can realistically have in a violent world. For a group of Minnesotans and Iraqis, the answer is, “more than you think.” For the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) and the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), interpersonal and local community connections – rather than strategic agreements between national governments – are exactly what is needed to sustain an enduring process of reconciliation and peacebuilding. Read the rest of this entry